that is why I left the Catholic Church, I was very involved in the church they knew I was gay and told me that as long as I was celibate I could remain in the positions I was in. But if I was sexually active I could not. (how odd of a thing to say). Anyway come to find out that their computer they used had a very bizarre "History" on it, when I looked up the "History" of what sites had been visited a fair amount of them were gay, BDSM or similar sites, and I don't think it was for research.

I shortly left the church feeling the hypocrisy was a bit too much for me.

I still consider myself Christian but I no longer belong to an organized religion.

His coming out letter it quite sincere and enlightening. I think there are many, many LGBT people who take refuge in scripture and their church, rather than accept themselves for who they really are. They feel deep shame, guilt, and inadequacy because of their same-sex attractions. I've seen it up close and seen how harmful it can be to the person and their relationships.

It is good that Bishop Kanouse came out, and is now working for inclusion rather than exclusion.

If you have not actually read his coming out letter, it is worth reading.

^^^^^^ JeepGuySD hit the nail on the head. Nice reply. We can not hold a grudge against everyone that didn't support us. Many of us took that path of confusion, denial and ignorance, mixed with the fear of losing everything. It's one thing to be caught in some compromising position and yet another to out yourself, admit your failing and ask forgiveness. Rev. Kanounse received my forgiveness and support as he begins living a life of truths.

^^^^^I think we CAN and SHOULD hold a grudge against people whom were/are bigots. But this religious piece of shit is the worst.This religious arseshole fed his bigoted views to his weak minded right wing religious morons in his cult.

Who gives a shit how this arsehole's mea culpa reads. He did so much damage.

eb925guy said^^^^^^ JeepGuySD hit the nail on the head. Nice reply. We can not hold a grudge against everyone that didn't support us. Many of us took that path of confusion, denial and ignorance, mixed with the fear of losing everything. It's one thing to be caught in some compromising position and yet another to out yourself, admit your failing and ask forgiveness. Rev. Kanounse received my forgiveness and support as he begins living a life of truths.

He's a scumbag. He voted against Gay marriage so he's a piece of shit. I hate closet Gays like this. If you hate yourself go commit suicide, why make life horrible for everyone else?

May you find as much compassion in your own life.

I seriously doubt voting against gay marriage in the Lutheran Church made "life horrible for everyone else." Gay Lutherans are still perfectly within their right to travel to a state where it is legal and obtain a civil marriage.

He's a scumbag. He voted against Gay marriage so he's a piece of shit. I hate closet Gays like this. If you hate yourself go commit suicide, why make life horrible for everyone else?

May you find as much compassion in your own life.

I seriously doubt voting against gay marriage in the Lutheran Church made "life horrible for everyone else." Gay Lutherans are still perfectly within their right to travel to a state where it is legal and obtain a civil marriage.

Ummmm yes voting against Gay marriage dies make life horrible for other people. Gay people haven't been able to get married in all 50 states until a month ago so for years life was horrible for people who couldn't marry their loved ones. Anyway using religion as an excuse to be a hateful piece of shit is such a pussy move. The world would be a much better place without these self hating homophobes.

He's a scumbag. He voted against Gay marriage so he's a piece of shit. I hate closet Gays like this. If you hate yourself go commit suicide, why make life horrible for everyone else?

May you find as much compassion in your own life.

I seriously doubt voting against gay marriage in the Lutheran Church made "life horrible for everyone else." Gay Lutherans are still perfectly within their right to travel to a state where it is legal and obtain a civil marriage.

Ummmm yes voting against Gay marriage dies make life horrible for other people. Gay people haven't been able to get married in all 50 states until a month ago so for years life was horrible for people who couldn't marry their loved ones. Anyway using religion as an excuse to be a hateful piece of shit is such a pussy move. The world would be a much better place without these self hating homophobes.

I came out in 1991, against all odds, in a very conservative/redneck/hillbilly state. It was total career suicide. My early 20's ended up being spent at crappy low-paying jobs, drinking too much, and smoking way too much pot, just to handle the pain.

Fortunately things got better, but I can totally understand why someone would wait till the mid-2010's to come out. The only reason I came out is because I ran out of lies about why I couldn't fuck my girlfriends (the celibate till marriage thing doesn't work). Oh and my parents caught me in the act...that's how they found out, after I already had a BF for 3 years.

As a Bishop, it's much easier to stay closeted, yet he decided to commit career suicide to stop living a lie and ask forgiveness for the damage he's done to gays...including himself. He has my heart-felt forgiveness.

He's a scumbag. He voted against Gay marriage so he's a piece of shit. I hate closet Gays like this. If you hate yourself go commit suicide, why make life horrible for everyone else?

May you find as much compassion in your own life.

I seriously doubt voting against gay marriage in the Lutheran Church made "life horrible for everyone else." Gay Lutherans are still perfectly within their right to travel to a state where it is legal and obtain a civil marriage.

Ummmm yes voting against Gay marriage dies make life horrible for other people. Gay people haven't been able to get married in all 50 states until a month ago so for years life was horrible for people who couldn't marry their loved ones. Anyway using religion as an excuse to be a hateful piece of shit is such a pussy move. The world would be a much better place without these self hating homophobes.